Milwaukee Bucks Eliminated from Playoff Contention

Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the team remains uncertain

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:35pm

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The Milwaukee Bucks have been officially eliminated from playoff contention after a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs. This development is likely to intensify speculation around the future of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been limited to just 36 games this season due to injuries. The Bucks front office has wanted Antetokounmpo to shut it down for the season, but the player has pushed to return, raising questions about his long-term commitment to the team.

Why it matters

The Bucks' failure to make the playoffs this season is a significant setback for the franchise, which had built its future around Antetokounmpo. His potential departure could be a major blow, as the team would lose one of the league's premier players. The offseason will be crucial as the Bucks look to retool the roster and convince Antetokounmpo to sign a max extension and remain in Milwaukee.

The details

After being blown out by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, the Bucks are now 9.5 games back of the No. 10 seed Charlotte Hornets with nine games remaining. This officially eliminates them from postseason contention. Bucks coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the team's elimination in his postgame comments. The Bucks' playoff hopes started to fade last season when they made a desperation move to waive and stretch the contract of Damian Lillard, who was set to miss the entire season with an Achilles tear. This freed up cap space to sign Myles Turner, who did not live up to expectations this year.

  • The Bucks were officially eliminated from playoff contention on March 29, 2026.
  • Milwaukee has nine games remaining in the 2025-26 NBA season.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Bucks' superstar forward, who has been limited to just 36 games this season due to injuries. His future with the team remains uncertain as the Bucks look to retool the roster and convince him to sign a max extension.

Doc Rivers

The head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, who acknowledged the team's elimination from playoff contention in his postgame comments.

Damian Lillard

The veteran guard whose season-ending Achilles tear last year led the Bucks to make a desperation move to waive and stretch his contract, freeing up cap space to sign Myles Turner.

Myles Turner

The free agent the Bucks signed with the cap space freed up by the Damian Lillard move, but he did not live up to expectations this season.

Stephon Castle

The San Antonio Spurs player who recorded a triple-double in the game that officially eliminated the Bucks from playoff contention.

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What they’re saying

“Doc Rivers, on the Bucks officially being eliminated from playoff contention: https://t.co/Xt9ake6XFJ”

— Doc Rivers, Head Coach, Milwaukee Bucks

What’s next

The Bucks will now focus on the offseason, where they will look to retool the roster and try to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a max extension and remain in Milwaukee. The team's front office will explore trading more draft picks and players to upgrade the roster, but it remains to be seen if that will be enough to keep Antetokounmpo from potentially requesting a trade or refusing to sign an extension.

The takeaway

The Bucks' failure to make the playoffs this season is a significant setback for the franchise, which had built its future around Giannis Antetokounmpo. His potential departure could be a major blow, as the team would lose one of the league's premier players. The offseason will be crucial as the Bucks look to retool the roster and convince Antetokounmpo to sign a max extension and remain in Milwaukee.